Exercising device



July 2, 1957 E. c. KINSEY EXERCISING DEVICE Filed April 25. 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 12 42 65/4 INVENTOR.

47204711. 61 flz'nse ATTD RN EYS EXERCISING DEVICE Edward C. Kinsey, Mansfield, Mo. Application April 25, 1955, Serial No. 503,451

2 Claims. (Cl. 272--82) This invention relates to an exercising device.

The object of the invention is to provide an exercising device which is adapted to be used for performing a variety of exercises whereby a person can build up or strengthen the various muscles of the body.

Another object of the invention is to provide an exercising device which is safe to use and wherein the device can be readily folded to occupy a minimum amount of space when it is not being used.

A further object of the invention is to provide an exercising device which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the exercising device, constructed according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged top plan view, and with the bench or platform removed so as to show certain constructional deails of the apparatus.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figulre 3, but showing the platform in raised position.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of the exercising device.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7--7 of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of the platform.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary bottom plan view illustrating certain constructional details of the apparatus, and showing the parts disassembled.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of Figure 6.

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of Figure 6.

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken on the line 12-12 of Figure 11.

- Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating certain constructional details of the apparatus.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a base which may include a plurality of rectangular sections 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19, Figures 1 and 2. The central portion of the base 10 is open or is provided with a cutout 20 for a purpose to be later de scribed.

There is further provided a movable platform which is indicated generally by the numeral 21, Figure 8, and the platform 21 includes three sections 22, 23 and 24 which are hingedly connected together by means of hinges 25. Guide members 26, 27 and 28 are secured to the undersurface of the sections of the platform in any suit nited States Patent 0 members in their extended position when the device is being used. However, when the platform 21 is to be folded as when it is not being used, the braces 29 can be moved so as to permit the sections to pivot about the hinges 25 so as to occupy a minimum amount of space. These braces can either be slid into position for support or else they can be backed into the center of the platform under the guide members 27 until they are needed again, but the braces 29 are not completely removed. Reinforcing elements 30 may be secured to the undersurface of the section 23 for strengthening the section 23. The braces 29 may have elements 31 secured thereto for reinforcing these members.

Arranged contiguous to the lower surface of the base 10 is a pair of spaced parallel beams 32 which may be connected to the base by means of hinges 34. A crosspiece 33 extends between the beams 32 and is secured thereto, Figure 6. There is further provided a pair of spaced parallel bars 35 adjacent eachend of the base 10, and the bars 35 may be connected to the base through the medium of hinges 37. Hinge pins or pivot pins 36 serve to pivotally connect the bars 35 to the adjacent beams 32.

Adapted to be positioned below each end of the platform 21 is a bearing block 38, and a pair of legs 40 may be secured to each bearing block 38. Bolt and nut assemblies or pins 41 serve to adjustably connect the legs 40 to the casings 6, the pins 41 projecting through openings 7 in the casing 6. The casings 6 may be pivotally connected to the bars 35 through the medium of pins 39, there being spacer members 63 between the bars 35 and casing 6, Figure 6.

Secured to the undersurface of one of the sections of the base is a block 42, Figure 6. A plurality of yieldable cables 43 which may be made of rubber or spring material each have an end secured to the block 42. A strap 44 is secured to the other ends of the yieldable cables 43, and a pair of cables or ropes 45 extend from the strap 44 and are secured thereto.

Spaced from the block 42 is a plate 46 which is also secured to the bottom of the base. 7 Depending from the plate 46 and secured thereto is a pair of spaced parallel rods 47 which each have a collar 48 rotatably mounted thereon. A pulley 49 is mounted on the lower end of each of the rods 47, and the cables 45 are trained over the pulleys 49. An ear 50 extends outwardly from each of the collars 48, and an arm 51 is pivotally connected to each of the cars 50 through the medium of a pivot pin or bolt 52, Figure 11 and Figure 13. Each of the pair of arms 51 is provided with an inner channel or cutout 53 as well as an elongated slot 54. A bushing 55 is movably mounted in the channel 53, and a hook member 56 has its shank slidably projecting through the slot 54, Figure 12. The hook member 56 is adapted to be arranged in engagement with the eyelets 57 which are secured to the outer edges of the base 10. Thus, by shifting the hook member 56 into engagement with different of the eyelets 57, the arms 51 can be maintained immobile in their various pivoted adjusted positions.

Extending across the top of the base 10 is a pull bar 58 which has hook members 59 on its outer ends. The book members 59 are adapted to selectively engage certain of the eyelets 60 which are secured to end portions of the pair of cables 45, Figure 2. Pulleys 61 are rotatably mounted in the outer end of the arms 51, and

able manner. Braces 29 are adapted to slidably extend between these guide members so as to maintain the guide the cables 45 are also trained over the pulleys 61.

There is further provided a plurality of legs or support members 62 whereby the exercising device of the present invention can be supported on a floor, table or the like. The leg assembly 62 may be of any desired SIZe.

For helping to maintain the sections in a coplanar position when the sections of the base are extended, braces 65 may extend below the meeting edges of certain of the sections as shown in Figure 6 and the braces 65 can be secured .in place in any suitable manner, as for example by means of screws or bolts. The braces 65 are used instead of legsat the particular points shown in the drawings,because the placement of legs on the inside edges of the sections 11, 16, 14 and 13 would prevent'folding of the device.

From the foregoing it is apparent that there has been provided an exercising device and in use with the parts arranged as shown in the drawing the pull 'bar'58 can be manually gripped and pulled towards a. personlying or standing or sitting on'the base 19. As the pull bar 58 is actuated, the cable 45 will be moved along the pulleys 61 and 49 to thereby stretch the elasticcables '43which increase their tension. 'Thus, there will beprovided a means for developing strong muscles which is healthful and a source of pleasure and recreation. The arms 51 can be swung to various pivotal positions since the arms 51 are secured to the collars 48 which are rotatably mounted on the rods 47. The arms 51 can be maintained immobile in their adjusted positions by hooking the hooks 56 in different of the eyelets '57. .If desired the platform 21 can be moved up from the position shown in Figure 3 to the position :shownin Figure 4 so that a person can lie or sit on the raised platform '21 and grip the pull bar 58 to perform different types of exercises. When the apparatus is not being used, the parts can be disassembledas shown in Figure 9, or else the parts can be swung about the various hinges to permit folding thereof into a compact unit for storage or shipment. The hooks 59 on the ends of the pull bar 58 can be arranged in engagement with different of the eyelets 60 so that the effective length of the cables 45 can be varied as desired. The legs 62 provide a convenient support for the apparatus.

With the present invention a person can stand on the base as well as sit or lie thereon.

The present invention combines the principles of exercising with cables as well as weight lifting and the user obtains the smooth constant pull experienced in regular cable use but there is no danger of the person being exposed to hazardous metal snaps or the like since the parts which mightbreak are. positioned beneath the base 10. The present invention is especially suitable for. developing muscles, in boys or men. As an example of an exercise that can be performed, with the bench or platform 21 raised, the person can lie on the platform with the bar 58 across the chest and then the bar is pressed, up to arms length to permit the elastic action of the members 43 to pull the bar to the chest and this action is repeated until the chest, arms and shoulders begin to tire. The various sections of the base can be made of any suitable material such as plywood. Braces are used whereverrequired to strengthen the apparatus.

When the platform 21 is raised to the position shown in Figure4 from the position shown in Figure 3 the legs 40 are moved from a horizontal to a vertical position so as to provide a support for the platform 21 in its raised position. By pivoting the legs 40 inwardly, the platform 21 can be moved to a position which is coplanar with the sections of the base.

Thebase'ltl is maintained in raised position by means of the legs 62 so as to provide clearance for the cables and plate assembly. The platform or bench 21 includes adjustablelegs. Thus, the channel members or casings 6 have the legs 40 adjustably mounted therein and the cross piece 38 extends between the outer ends of the legs 40 and are secured thereto. By positioning the pins 41 in different of the openings 7, it being understood that there are being similar registering openings in the legs 40, then the effective height of the platform can be varied as desired. The casings v6 are notched as at so that the cross piece 38 will fit flush with the end of the casing 6 when the legs are not in their raised position. It is important that the bench 21 be adjustable in height so that it will accommodate different persons who use the same device, since the length of the limbs of the people differ so that the bench can be raised or lowered for their convenience.

As shown in Figure 13, thereis a binding action between the ears 5t) and arms 51 and this is important in order to keep the pressure off of the hinged sections of the base 10. Thus, the arms 51 are provided with notches or cutouts 4 through which project the portion of the cars 50 when the parts are in the position shown in Figure 13. The arms 51 thus vrests against the edge of the ears 50 so as to put the pressure on the fixed plate 46 instead of permitting the pressure to be exerted against the hinged section of the base 10.

The platform 21 will remain steady in its raised position, since the legs can not spread towards the ends of the base 10 because they rest against the adjacent parts of the base when in their raised position. Thus, when the platform 21 is placed in raised position, one

. of the legs 40 is prevented from folding inwardly by an edge of the element '26, while the otherlegs are prevented from folding because of the elements 23. The platform 21 merely rests on top of the legs 40 but is not connected to the legs.

I claim:

1. An exercising device comprising a base having a cutout in the central portion thereof, a first set of legs secured to the undersurface of said base, a plurality of spaced parallel beams arranged contiguous to the central cutout portion of said base and connected to said base, a crosspiece extending between said beams and secured to said beams, a platform mounted for movement into and out of registry with respect to the cutout in said base, bars arranged contiguous to the undersurface of said base adjacent the ends thereof and pivotally connected to said beams, said bars being arranged in pairs, at block secured to the lower surface of said base, a plurality of yieldable cables secured to said block, a strap secured to said cables, a plate secured to the bottom of said base, a pair of-spaced parallel rods depending from said plate, a collar rotatably mounted on each of said rods, afirst pulley mounted on the lower end of each of said rods, an arm extending outwardly from each of said collars, a second pulley mounted on the outer end of each of said arms, cables trained over said first and second pulleys and connected to said strap, a pull bar arrangedabove said base and detachably connected to said last named cables, said arms being provided with a slot, there being a channel within said arm, a bushing slid-ably mounted in said channel, a hook member extending from said bushing and including a shank extending through said slot, a plurality of eyelets secured to the outer edges of said base for engagement by said hook member, and brace blocks secured beneath the meeting edges of certain portions of said base.

2. An exercising device comprising a base having a cutout in the central portion thereof, a first 'set of legs secured to the under surface of said base, a plurality of spaced parallel beams arranged contiguous to the central cutout portion of said base and connected to said base, a crosspiece extending between said beams and secured to said beams, a platform mounted for movement into and out of registry with respect to the cutout in said base, bars arranged contiguous to the undersurface of .said base adjacent the ends thereof and pivotally connected to said beams, said bars being arranged in pairs, :1 block secured to the lower surface of said base, a plurality of yieldable cables secured to said block, a strap secured'to saidcables, a plate secured to the bottom of said base, a pair of spaced parallel rods depending from said plate, a collar rotatably mounted on each of said rods, a first pulley mounted on the lower end of each of said slot, a plurality of eyelets secured to the outer edges 10 of said base for engagement by said hook member, and brace blocks secured beneath the meeting edges of certain portions of said base, and adjustable support members for said platform.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,866,860 Pareira July 12, 1932 1,975,021 Schmidt Sept. 25, 1934 2,219,219 Boger Oct. 22, 1940 2,267,376 Malm Dec. 23, 1941 2,397,054 Segalla Mar. 19, 1946 

